Zuttah Steps in for Injured Faine at Center

Wednesday

Jeremy Zuttah has always been known as a smart player. Drafted in the third round in 2008 as a guard, Zuttah is able to play every position on the offensive line.

TAMPA | Jeremy Zuttah has always been known as a smart player.

Drafted in the third round in 2008 as a guard, Zuttah is able to play every position on the offensive line.

Zuttah, who has been a reserve guard this year, will now get a chance to show how valuable he is. He will be the Bucs' starting center Sunday against the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.

Zuttah replaces Jeff Faine, who suffered an injury to his quad and is out four to six weeks.

Faine said Wednesday that he won't need surgery, just rest and rehabilitation.

"Zuttah is going to do a great job," Faine said. "He's a very smart player who understands this offense very well. I don't think they'll miss a beat in terms of protection calls."

Zuttah is happy to focus on just one position for a couple of weeks. Because he has been used as the club's swing lineman, he has had to learn what to do at every position.

Zuttah won't have to make all of the protection calls. Second-year quarterback Josh Freeman has a good grasp on that and has been doing that most of the season. Zuttah will have to make any sight adjustment or secondary protection calls.

Also, he will have to get used to something else.

"You start every play one handed," he said. "I'm the guy that snaps the ball; you take care of that first before you get into blocking your man.

"I think I've come a long way as a player," Zuttah said. "This is just an opportunity to showcase that. You have to do what you have to do sometimes."

That's why he's willing to play so many positions. Zuttah just wanted to help the team as best he could. Now, he'll have a chance to focus in on just one position, even if he has started there before.

"It'll be my most natural position for the next few weeks because that's what I'm locked in at," he said.

Freeman NFC Offensive Player Of the Week

Quarterback Josh Freeman was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for leading the Bucs to a victory against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Trailing 21-14, Freeman led the Bucs to 10 points in less than two minutes. For the day, he completed 20-of-33 passes for 280 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Freeman became the first Buc to win this award since running back Michael Pittman in 2004.

Bucs Sign Punter

Tampa Bay cut punter Chris Bryan and signed punter Robert Malone.

Malone, an undrafted free agent from Fresno State, was a first-team All-WAC punter last year after averaging 45.2 yards per punt.

Tampa Bay also signed linebacker Mike Balogun to the practice squad and cut linebacker J.D. Folsom from the practice squad.

Jones Not Ruled Out

Safety Sean Jones, who left Sunday's win against Cincinnati with a back injury, was not ruled out of Sunday's game against the Saints.

Jones did not practice Wednesday, but coach Raheem Morris said it was possible Jones will play Sunday.

[ Rick Brown can be reached at rick.brown@theledger.com or 863-802-7569. ]

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